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Primatology Trivia Quiz

A random sampling of primatology facts. Some questions concern binomial nomenclature (scientific names), but not all of them do.

A multiple-choice quiz by Hylo. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Hylo

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
176,966

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
8 / 15

Plays
1101

Last 3 plays: Guest 98 (10/15), Guest 93 (6/15), Guest 80 (4/15).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Which monkey is known as the only truly nocturnal monkey? Hint

uakari

squirrel monkey

owl monkey

dusky titi

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Question 2 of 15

2. What is the scientific name for the Verreaux's Sifaka? Hint

Erythrocebus sifaki

Erythrocebus verreauxi

Propithicus verreauxi

Propithicus sifaki

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Question 3 of 15

3. Capuchin monkeys are also known as what? Hint

tambourine monkeys

organ-grinder monkeys

sportive monkeys

bellboy monkeys

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Question 4 of 15

4. What is the genus name for the capuchin monkey? Hint

Cebus

Aotus

Callicebus

Alouatta

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Question 5 of 15

5. Which of the following is not a prosimian? Hint

potto

aye-aye

marmoset

indri

6. In the movie Outbreak, a monkey from Africa starts a virulent epidemic in the US. For people who know a little primatology, the movie-makers made a laughable mistake, because they used a monkey that is ONLY native to South America. Which monkey did they use? Hint

colobus monkey

capuchin monkey

bushbaby

dusky leaf monkey

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Question 7 of 15

7. What is the scientific name of the Japanese macaque (aka, "snow monkey")? Hint

Macaca snowii

Macaca radiata

Macaca fuscata

Macaca mulata

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Question 8 of 15

8. Which monkeys are especially sacred to Hindus and are native to India? Hint

Gupta guenons

Hanuman langurs

Siva squirrel monkeys

Avatar Baboons

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Question 9 of 15

9. The family Cercopithecidae ("Old World monkeys") is divided into two sub-families. One is Cercopithecinae; what is the other? Hint

Pithinae

Cebinae

Atelinae

Colobinae

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Question 10 of 15

10. Which of these is NOT a member of the sub-family Cercopithecinae? Hint

patas monkey

celebes macaque

gelada monkey

colobus monkey

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Question 11 of 15

11. What is the scientific name for the bonobo? Hint

Pan pygmaeus

Pongo paniscus

Pongo pygmaeus

Pan paniscus

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Question 12 of 15

12. Which of these do not have ischial callosities? Hint

spider monkeys

baboons

gibbons

Rhesus macaques

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Question 13 of 15

13. Which of the following types of primate are typically monogamous? Hint

squirrel monkeys

macaques

gibbons

lemurs

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Question 14 of 15

14. Which of the following genera of monkeys does NOT have a prehensile tail? Hint

Saimiri

Brachyteles

Ateles

Lagothrix

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Question 15 of 15

15. What is the genus of the "bald-headed" monkey, the Uakari? Hint

Cacajao

Macau

Kinkajou

Pithecia

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which monkey is known as the only truly nocturnal monkey?

Answer: owl monkey

As its name indicates, the owl monkey has large owl-like eyes, typical of nocturnal animals. While many prosimian species are nocturnal, this is the only species of monkey (or ape) that is.

2. What is the scientific name for the Verreaux's Sifaka?

Answer: Propithicus verreauxi

Sifakas are lemurs and are arboreal. They have long, powerful hind legs for jumping from tree to tree. When they do venture down to the ground, they spring along in a gallop-like leap with their front legs held up above their heads.

3. Capuchin monkeys are also known as what?

Answer: organ-grinder monkeys

Capuchins are one of the smartest monkeys and are often used in films and TV shows because of their high intelligence (and trainability). The films "Monkey Shines" and "Monkey Trouble", as well as the TV show "Friends" all featured these little actors.

4. What is the genus name for the capuchin monkey?

Answer: Cebus

Callicebus is the genus name of the titi monkey. Aotus is the owl monkey. And Alouatta is the genus of howler monkeys.

5. Which of the following is not a prosimian?

Answer: marmoset

Marmosets are monkeys that live in South America. Aye-ayes and indris are types of lemurs, and pottos are a type of loris.

Answer: capuchin monkey

Even if you didn't see the movie, the capuchin monkey is the only of the four choices native to South America.

7. What is the scientific name of the Japanese macaque (aka, "snow monkey")?

Answer: Macaca fuscata

Macaca mulata is the scientific name for the rhesus macaque (aka "rhesus monkey). I made up the other two.

8. Which monkeys are especially sacred to Hindus and are native to India?

Answer: Hanuman langurs

Guenons, squirrel monkeys, and baboons are all real types of monkeys, but the Gupta, Siva, and Avitar (respectively) varieties don't exist. The Hanuman langur does, and it's named for the Hindu god, Hanuman.

9. The family Cercopithecidae ("Old World monkeys") is divided into two sub-families. One is Cercopithecinae; what is the other?

Answer: Colobinae

Pithinae, Atelinae, and Cebinae are names of sub-families of New World monkeys.

10. Which of these is NOT a member of the sub-family Cercopithecinae?

Answer: colobus monkey

The colobus monkey is not a cercopithecine; it is a colobine. Colobines are leaf-eaters (the langur is another example) and are generally more arboreal than cercopithecines (baboons and macaques are the best examples of this group). Colobines have specially-developed stomachs and intestines for digesting leaves.

11. What is the scientific name for the bonobo?

Answer: Pan paniscus

Pongo pygmaeus is the scientific name for the orang-utan.

12. Which of these do not have ischial callosities?

Answer: spider monkeys

Ischial callosities are tough, hairless pads of callus on the rumps of Old World monkeys. Gibbons also have them. Spider monkeys, being New World monkeys, do not.

13. Which of the following types of primate are typically monogamous?

Answer: gibbons

Gibbons typically mate for life, although just like another "monogomous" primate we all know, they have been witnessed engaging in "adultery".

14. Which of the following genera of monkeys does NOT have a prehensile tail?

Answer: Saimiri

Saimiri is the genus for the squirrel monkey. Ateles are spider monkeys, Brachyteles are wooly monkeys, and Lagothrix are wooly spider monkeys.

15. What is the genus of the "bald-headed" monkey, the Uakari?

Answer: Cacajao

Pithecia is the genus of the saki monkey. The other two are not primate genera.

Source: Author Hylo

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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